Countdown

28 May, 2017

If you have ever done an online search
for Disney World, you will find that there are countless Disney blogs
and fan sites. I'm not one to talk, I'm turning this page in to one
as well.. The difference is I haven't been there a million times,
like several of the other writers. I also was never a cast member or
part of the College Program (but if I had known about it when I was
in college, I would have applied for it). But I have been there a few
times, and have read several of those other sites, and feel that I
have a pretty good idea of the comings and goings

One of the sites that pops up on my
radar every now and then publishes its posts as lists. The top 10
this or the 6 biggest that or whatever. Often they claim to be things
that you don't know about one of the parks or rides or whatever. They
rarely have anything that I hadn't read or seen from either personal
experience or read from another source.

This one is a bit tricky. I love almost everything about
Animal Kingdom, and don't get it why so many people call it a half
day park. Now that Avatar is open (which I will be seeing in
September), there certainly is more to do, but I never had problems
filling a day there. Often, we would spend 2 days there on a trip. I
would rank the Kilimanjaro Safari ride as one of the best in all of
Disney World. Kali River is a fun (albeit too short) water ride, and
I love the Flights of Wonders show. There is something for everyone
there, and has probably the 2 best quick service restaurants on
property (Flame Tree and Restaurantasaurus, and the new one at
Avatar, looks to be ready to take the top spot. With the addition of
the 2 rides at Avatar, the projection show on the Tree of Life and
the Rivers of Light night show, it will be difficult to call it a
half day park any more.

That said, I think I have to go with the Magic Kingdom as the best
park. It has the most to do, and it not only can never be called a
half day park, it is hard to make it only a 1 day park. Even the
experienced Disney goers can't get everything they want done there in
a single day. It has all of the classics, Pirates, Haunted Mansion,
Jungle Cruise. Not to mention the immersive theming that envelops you
with every step you take. I would like to see some more table service
options, but except for EPCOT, all the parks are rather limited. Some
of the best places to sit down and eat are in the resorts, not the
parks.

While I enjoy days at EPCOT and Hollywood studios, in their
current conditions, they pale in comparison to the other parks.
Things will all change in 2019 when Star Wars Land is expected to
open at Hollywood Studios (or whatever it will be called then, a name
change is expected). I love Toy Story Midway Mania, the Indy Show (I
know, a lot of people think it's tired, but maybe I just haven't seen
it enough), and it has some great shows for kids. I'm not much for
thrill rides, but Tower of Terror is fantastically well done. Over at
EPCOT, expect to do a lot of walking. I am looking forward to
experiencing Soarin' around the World. I really loved the original
version and have intentionally not watched videos of it online,
waiting to see it for myself our next trip.

9.
Which Is The Best Mountain? –

Ah yes, the Disney World Mountain Range, 3 (Splash, Thunder
and Space) or 4 (Expedition Everest) mountains with rides. Do you
count the new 7 Dwarfs Mine Train? For me, it's an easy one. Hands
down it is Splash. Now, I haven't yet been on Space (as I said
before, I'm not huge into thrill rides, and my family is less so, but
I have intentions to ride it at some point, after all, how can you
call yourself a Disney Park Nerd if you've never ridden Space
Mountain?)

8.
Turkey Legs v. Dole Whips –

Another no brainer here. Dole Whip for the win. I have never
been a big fan of turkey legs, and wouldn't want to walk around the
park picking past all the tendons. Give me a Dole Whip Float any day
of the week.

7.
Haunted Mansion Or Pirates Of The Caribbean? –

Ok, this one I had to think about for a minute. I love both,
and a trip to the Magic Kingdom just isn't complete without a ride on
both. There are people who don't like what is represented in Pirates,
and many that don't like the Johnny Depp overlays, but it is still a
great ride. But on this one, I have to give the nod to the Haunted
Mansion. It is a lot of fun and can be ridden multiple times each
trip.

6.
Which Disney Resort Is The Best? –

Here is one I really can't speak of with a ton of authority. I
have only stayed at 2 (Saratoga Springs and Kidani Village at Animal
Kingdom Lodge). Both are great places to stay. I have visited other
resorts for the restaurants. The live open savannas give Animal
Kingdom Lodge the edge. I know a lot of people don't like how far
away they are from other things.. you can't hop on the monorail or
boat and get to the Magic Kingdom, you can't walk to EPCOT or
Hollywood studios or Disney Springs. For us, the bus service has been
all we need to get wherever we want to go with minimal waiting.

5.
Walt Disney World Or Disneyland? –

Another one that I really can't comment on. Hopefully someday
soon we will make it to Anaheim, but I don't know when that will be.

4.
Are Certain Attractions Overrated? –

Of course certain attractions are overrated. Which ones are a
matter of opinion. For me, the overrated things include Test Track,
Mission: Space and most character meet and greets.

3.
Are Certain Attractions Underrated? –

As certain attractions are overrated, there are underrated
ones as well. On my list of underrated attractions you find things
like Carousel of Progress, the People Mover, and Monsters Inc. Laugh
Floor.

2.
Which Is The Best Disney Restaurant? –

I haven't eaten at them all, and haven't been to any of the
'signature' ones either, but of the ones I have been to, I have
really enjoyed Liberty Tree Tavern (Magic Kingdom) for dinner,
Captains Grille (Yacht Club Resort) and Cape May (Beach Club Resort)
for dinner and Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge) for both Breakfast and
Dinner. Honorable mention goes to 'Ohana (Polynesian resort) for
breakfast (wasn't a fan of dinner), Garden Grille (EPCOT) for
breakfast and Trail's End (Fort Wilderness Lodge) for dinner.

A couple I probably wouldn't be going back to include The Wave
(Contemporary Resort) for dinner, 'Ohana for dinner, and Yak and Yeti
(Animal Kingdom) for dinner.

1.
Which Nighttime Show Is The Best? –

So much has changed since our last trip, that I really can't
comment on this one either. Wishes is done at Magic Kingdom, replaced
by the new Happily Ever After, Hollywood Studios added the Star Wars
show, and the projection show and Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom
are all new since we were there last.

The one time I saw Fantasmic! I wasn't thrilled with it, but we
will be doing it again this time so I can give it another viewing.
Wishes at Magic Kingdom was great. The music and narration were
powerful. We had the opportunity to see Hallowishes at the Halloween
party a couple years ago, and loved that and will be seeing it again
this year, but of the shows that were in place last time we went, I
have to give the nod of best night time show to Illuminations at
EPCOT. The fact that there are so many great places to see the show
around the World Showcase lagoon, to the music, fire, water, lasers
and fireworks, it makes for a great way to end the day at EPCOT.

Well, there you have it. My takes on the 10 biggest Controversies
at Walt Disney World. What are your thoughts? Where was I right,
where was I wrong? Let me know in the comments!